Hsu Ma1, Kwang-Yi Tung2, Shu-Ling Tsai3, David L Neil4, Yun-Yi Ling5, Hung-Tsang Yen6, Kao-Li Lin7, Yi-Ting Cheng7, Shu-Chen Kao7, Mei-Na Lin7, Niann-Tzyy Dai8, Cherng-Kang Perng9, Tyng-Guey Wang10, Hao-Chih Tai11, Li-Ru Chen12, Yung-Chang Tuan13, Chi-Hung Lin14. 1. Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, 201, Sec. 2, Shih-Pai Rd., Taipei 11217, Taiwan; Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, 325, Sec. 2, Chenggong Rd., Taipei 11490, Taiwan; School of Medicine, National Yang Ming University, 155, Sec. 2, Linong St., Taipei 112, Taiwan. 2. Department of Surgery, MacKay Memorial Hospital, 92, Sec. 2, Zhongshan N. Rd., Taipei 10449, Taiwan. 3. National Health Insurance Administration, 140, Sec. 3, Hsinyi Rd., Taipei 10634, Taiwan. 4. Full Universe Integrated Marketing Ltd., 4F, 417 Ruiguang Rd., Taipei 11492, Taiwan. 5. Burn Rehabilitation & Post-acute Care Center, New Taipei City Hospital, 198 Yingshi Rd., New Taipei City 220, Taiwan; Institute of Health Policy and Management, National Taiwan University, 17 Xu-Zhou Rd., Taipei 100, Taiwan. 6. Department of Emergency Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, 201, Sec. 2, Shih-Pai Rd., Taipei 11217, Taiwan; Institute of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, National Yang Ming University, 155, Sec. 2, Linong St., Taipei 112, Taiwan. 7. Department of Health, New Taipei City Government, 192-1 Ying-Shi Rd., New Taipei City 22006, Taiwan. 8. Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, 325, Sec. 2, Chenggong Rd., Taipei 11490, Taiwan. 9. Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, 201, Sec. 2, Shih-Pai Rd., Taipei 11217, Taiwan; School of Medicine, National Yang Ming University, 155, Sec. 2, Linong St., Taipei 112, Taiwan. 10. Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, National Taiwan University Hospital, 7 Zhongshan S. Rd., Taipei 100, Taiwan. 11. Division of Plastic Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, 7 Zhongshan S. Rd., Taipei 100, Taiwan. 12. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, MacKay Memorial Hospital, 92, Sec. 2, Zhongshan N. Rd., Taipei 10449, Taiwan. 13. Ansin Psychiatric Clinic, 132, Sec. 3, Chongxin Rd., New Taipei City 241, Taiwan. 14. Department of Health, New Taipei City Government, 192-1 Ying-Shi Rd., New Taipei City 22006, Taiwan; Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, National Yang Ming University, 155, Sec. 2, Linong St., Taipei 112, Taiwan; Department of Biological Science and Technology, National Chiao-Tung University, 1001 University Rd., Hsinchu 300, Taiwan; Cancer Progression Research Center, National Yang Ming University, 155, Sec. 2, Linong St., Taipei 112, Taiwan. Electronic address: linch@ym.edu.tw.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To study outcomes among survivors of the mass-casualty powder explosion on 27 June 2015, at Formosa Fun Coast Waterpark, New Taipei City, Taiwan. METHODS: Using retrospective data on Taiwanese survivors, we analyzed prehospital management, burns assessment and prognosis, functional recovery, and medical costs, followed-up through 30 June 2017. We related outcomes to burn extent, categorized according to the percentages of total body surface area with second/third-degree burns (%TBSA) or autologous split-thickness skin grafts (%STSG), and an investigational scale: f{SASG} = (%TBSA + %STSG)/2, stratified by %STSG. Analyses included casualty dispersal, comparisons between %TBSA, %STSG and f{SASG}, and their relationships with length of hospitalization, times to rehabilitation and social/school re-entry, physical/mental disability, and medical costs. We also investigated how burn scars restricting joint mobility affected rehabilitation duration. RESULTS: 445 hospitalized casualties (excluding 16 foreigners, 23 with 0% TBSA and 15 fatalities) aged 12-38 years, had mean TBSA of 41.1%. Hospitalization and functional recovery durations correlated with %TBSA, %STSG and f{SASG} - mean length of stay per %TBSA was 1.5 days; more numerous burn scar contractures prolonged rehabilitation. Females had worse burns than males, longer hospitalization and rehabilitation, and later school/social re-entry; at follow-up, 62.3% versus 37.7% had disabilities and 57.7% versus 42.3% suffered mental trauma (all p ≤ 0.001). Disabilities affecting 225/227 people were skin-related; 34 were severely disabled but 193 had mild/moderate impairments. The prevalence of stress-related and mood disorders increased with burn extent. Treatment costs (mean USD-equivalents ∼$48,977/patient, ∼$1192/%TBSA) increased with burn severity; however, the highest %TBSA, %STSG and f{SASG} categories accounted for <10% of total costs, whereas TBSA 41-80% accounted for 73.2%. CONCLUSIONS: Besides %TBSA, skin-graft requirements and burn scar contractures are complementary determinants of medium/long-term outcomes. We recommend further elucidation of factors that influence burn survivors' recovery, long-term physical and mental well-being, and quality of life.
PURPOSE: To study outcomes among survivors of the mass-casualty powder explosion on 27 June 2015, at Formosa Fun Coast Waterpark, New Taipei City, Taiwan. METHODS: Using retrospective data on Taiwanese survivors, we analyzed prehospital management, burns assessment and prognosis, functional recovery, and medical costs, followed-up through 30 June 2017. We related outcomes to burn extent, categorized according to the percentages of total body surface area with second/third-degree burns (%TBSA) or autologous split-thickness skin grafts (%STSG), and an investigational scale: f{SASG} = (%TBSA + %STSG)/2, stratified by %STSG. Analyses included casualty dispersal, comparisons between %TBSA, %STSG and f{SASG}, and their relationships with length of hospitalization, times to rehabilitation and social/school re-entry, physical/mental disability, and medical costs. We also investigated how burn scars restricting joint mobility affected rehabilitation duration. RESULTS: 445 hospitalized casualties (excluding 16 foreigners, 23 with 0% TBSA and 15 fatalities) aged 12-38 years, had mean TBSA of 41.1%. Hospitalization and functional recovery durations correlated with %TBSA, %STSG and f{SASG} - mean length of stay per %TBSA was 1.5 days; more numerous burn scar contractures prolonged rehabilitation. Females had worse burns than males, longer hospitalization and rehabilitation, and later school/social re-entry; at follow-up, 62.3% versus 37.7% had disabilities and 57.7% versus 42.3% suffered mental trauma (all p ≤ 0.001). Disabilities affecting 225/227 people were skin-related; 34 were severely disabled but 193 had mild/moderate impairments. The prevalence of stress-related and mood disorders increased with burn extent. Treatment costs (mean USD-equivalents ∼$48,977/patient, ∼$1192/%TBSA) increased with burn severity; however, the highest %TBSA, %STSG and f{SASG} categories accounted for <10% of total costs, whereas TBSA 41-80% accounted for 73.2%. CONCLUSIONS: Besides %TBSA, skin-graft requirements and burn scar contractures are complementary determinants of medium/long-term outcomes. We recommend further elucidation of factors that influence burn survivors' recovery, long-term physical and mental well-being, and quality of life.